As MPs debated the Leveson report and its implications for the freedom of the press on Monday, word reached Westminster that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting a baby.

The news triggered a race in the Commons among MPs to become the first to manage to shoe-horn the royal baby into the debate. The winner? Phone hacking campaigner Tom Watson who brought up the "extreme" treatment suffered by prince Diana at the hands of the press.

"We will all welcome the news that the Duchess of Cambridge has announced that she and Prince William are expecting their first child," Watson continued.

"Do we also think that the press should observe their recent conversion, and give the couple the privacy that they deserve in the early days of the pregnancy?"

Unfortunately his inspired plan to bring up the hounding of princess Diana by the media as an excuse to mention the baby did not go down too well with his Labour colleague Jim Dowd.

"I am hardly likely to disagree, am I?" Dowd said after Watson's intervention. "Good luck to them, and so say all of us."

He added: "I am taken aback by the sheer irrelevance of the question. If I may, I will get back on track, and return to the subject of the conduct of the press."

The Duchess of Cambridge is hugged by three year old Nancy Williams, from the Old School Nursery in Knotty Ash, as she arrives at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool.

Britain's Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge receives flowers, as she leaves after a visit to Hope House, in London, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. As patron of Action on Addiction, the Duchess was visiting Hope House, a safe, secure place for women to recover from substance dependence. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Composite photos of the Duchess of Cambridge greeting Terry Campbell, 10, during a visit to Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The Duchess of Cambridge hugs six-year-old Diamond Marshall as the Royal Couple arrives in Calgary Thursday, July 7, 2011.

The Duchess of Cambridge hugs six-year-old Diamond Marshall as the Royal Couple arrives in Calgary Thursday, July 7, 2011.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets Emma Henson , aged 7 at Peterborough City Hospital during an official visit to Peterborough on November 28, 2012 in Peterborough, England.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits St. Andrew's School on November 30, 2012 in Pangbourne, England. The Duchess returned to her old school she attended between 1986 till 1995 to meet students and teachers.

PANGBOURNE, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 30: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge takes part in a day of activities and festivities to mark the occasion of St Andrew's Day at St Andrew's School on November 30, 2012 in Pangbourne, Berkshire, England. The Duchess visited the Pre-Prep School for under-5s, unveiled a plaque to officially open a new artificial turf playing field and met members of the school's hockey team, which she played for during her time as a pupil at the school (1986-1995). The Duchess also toured the school privately and watched the school's Progressive Games which are traditional games played indoors by teachers and students on St. Andrew's Day. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets a young member of the public during an impromptu walkabout outside their residence on July 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The newly married Royal Couple are on the final day of their first joint overseas tour to the USA. They arrived on Friday after spending 9 days in Canada. The couple started off their tour of North America by joining millions of Canadians in taking part in Canada Day celebrations which mark Canada's 144th Birthday. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge talks to Riley Oldford, 6, at Yellowknife Airport, before boarding a plane with the Duke of Cambridge as they leave north west Canada following their visit.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge received a posy of flowers as she officially opens The Treehouse Children's Hospice in Ipswich on March 19, 2012.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: A lady and her daughter present flowers to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge looks on at the Victoria Barracks on June 25, 2011 in Windsor, England. The Duchess of Cambridge and Duke of Cambridge are at the barracks to present service medals to members of the Irish Guards (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge poses for photographs with young girls as she visits Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust on February 14, 2012 in Liverpool, England. The Duchess has spent the day in Liverpool and arrived at Alder Hey Hospital after a visit to 'The Brink'. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge hugs Nancy Williams, aged 3, as she visits Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust on February 14, 2012 in Liverpool, England. The Duchess has spent the day in Liverpool and arrived at Alder Hey Hospital after a visit to 'The Brink'. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks to a child as she attends the UK Premiere of 'African Cats' on April 25, 2012 in London. Their attendance at the premiere of African Cats was their first public engagement since Prince William returned from his deployment in the Falklands. The royal couple will mark the first anniversary of their marriage on April 29. AFP Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool /Getty Images (Photo credit should read Chris Jackson/AFP/GettyImages)

Suhani Kapoor (R) gives an Aslan lion cuddly toy to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as she hosts 150 children and young people from The Art Room at a performance of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' at Kensington Gardens in London on June 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Rebecca Naden (Photo credit should read REBECCA NADEN/AFP/GettyImages)

Suhani Kapoor (R) gives an Aslan lion cuddly toy to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as she hosts 150 children and young people from The Art Room at a performance of 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' at Kensington Gardens in London on June 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Rebecca Naden (Photo credit should read REBECCA NADEN/AFP/GettyImages)

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with four-year-old Maeve Low (L) as she tours the Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus during the Diamond Jubilee tour at Seletar Aerospace Park on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. (Photo by Danny Lawson - Pool/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) pose with four-year-old Maeve Low as they tour the Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus during the Diamond Jubilee tour at Seletar Aerospace Park on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. (Photo by Danny Lawson - Pool/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is given flowers by a young girl as she attends a cultural event in Queenstown on day 2 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince William (centre R) and his wife Catherine (C), the Duchess of Cambridge, speak to a young girl during their visit to Strathmore Green, a precinct in Queenstown, a residential district of Singapore on September 12, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/GettyImages)

Catherine (R), the Duchess of Cambridge, receives flowers from a girl during her visit to Strathmore Green, a precinct in Queenstown, a residential district of Singapore on September 12, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Nicolas ASFOURI (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/GettyImages)

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with a young artist as they visit The Rainbow Centre on day 2 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 12: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with children as they visit The Rainbow Centre on day 2 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 12, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, receives a gift from a girl during her visit to Strathmore Green, a precinct in Queenstown, a residential district of Singapore on September 12, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Nicolas ASFOURI (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/GettyImages)

Britain's Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge talks to a girl at the renovated Commonwealth Street in central Honiara on September 17, 2012. Britain's Prince William and wife Catherine are on a nine-day tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, and have already visited Singapore and Malaysia before arriving in the Solomon Islands. AFP PHOTO / Daniel Munoz / POOL (Photo credit should read DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP/GettyImages)

Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge talk to two girls at the renovated Commonwealth Street in central Honiara on September 17, 2012. Britain's Prince William and wife Catherine are on a nine-day tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, and have already visited Singapore and Malaysia before arriving in the Solomon Islands. AFP PHOTO / Daniel Munoz / POOL (Photo credit should read DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP/GettyImages)

The Duchess of Cambridge talks to Vic Vicary, who holds his three week old son Hugo Eric Scott Vicary during a reception to celebrate the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole at Goldsmiths Hall in the City of London.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge meets with 6-year-old Diamond Marshall as she arrives with Prince William at Calgary International Airport in Calgary on July 7, 2011. The Make-a-Wish Foundation arranged for Marshall, a cancer patient, to greet the royal couple. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets young girls as she visits Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust on February 14, 2012 in Liverpool, England. The Duchess has spent the day in Liverpool and arrived at Alder Hey Hospital after a visit to 'The Brink'. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets a young girl as she visits Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust on February 14, 2012 in Liverpool, England. The Duchess has spent the day in Liverpool and arrived at Alder Hey Hospital after a visit to 'The Brink'. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

OXFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets children as she arrives at Rose Hill Primary School during a visit to Oxford on February 21, 2012 in Oxford, England. The visit is in association with the charity Art Room who work with children to increase self-confidence and self-esteem (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

OXFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 21, 2012: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meets pupiles during her visit to Rose Hill Primary School on February 21, 2012 in Oxford, England. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as patron of charity The Art Room, visited two schools in Oxford in association with the organisation that works with children to increase self-confidence and self-esteem. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, meets children during a visit to the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts at the Dulwich Gallery in South London on March 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO / POOL / JOHN STILLWELL (Photo credit should read JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

ALDERSHOT, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets two young girls, who handed her a delicate posy as she presents shamrocks to members of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at the St Patrick's Day Parade at Mons Barracks on Saturday March 17, 2012 in Aldershot, England. 450 soldiers were on parade, accompanied by the regimental mascot Conmeal, an Irish wolfhound who received his own sprig of shamrock from the Duchess. This was her first solo military engagement and she will now inherit a tradition which begun in 1901 by Queen Alexandra and more recently carried out for 32 years by the Queen Mother. Prince William is honorary Colonel of the Irish Guards. (Photo by Paul Vicente - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets a young fan during a visit to open The Treehouse Children's Hospice on March 19, 2012 in Ipswich, England. (Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets leukemia sufferer Zakwan Anuar, 15, at Hospis Malaysia on Day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge meets with students while walking in the gardens of the KLCC in Kuala Lumpur on September 14, 2012, on the second leg of a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/GettyImages)

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS - SEPTEMBER 17: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets a young well-wisher as she attends a Women's Reception at the Leaf House, Commonwealth Youth South Pacific Centre on day 7 of their Diamond Jubilee Tour, on September 17, 2012 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrived in the Solomon Islands as the first stop of the Pacific leg of their nine day Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East and South Pacific. (Photo by Danny Lawson - Pool/Getty Images)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets children as she visits Elswick Park where she visited a community garden on October 10, 2012 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets children as she visits Elswick Park where she visited a community garden on October 10, 2012 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Emma Henson, 7, during a visit to Peterborough City Hospital in Cambridgeshire, as part of an official visit to Cambridge.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Emma Henson, 7, during a visit to Peterborough City Hospital in Cambridgeshire, as part of an official visit to Cambridge.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets pupils as she visits Manor School during an official visit to Cambridge with the Duke of Cambridge. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 28, 2012. William and Kate will toured Cambridge for the first time since they adopted their titles on their wedding day in April last year. See PA story ROYAL Cambridge. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cambridge meets pupils as she visits Manor School during an official visit to Cambridge with the Duke of Cambridge. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 28, 2012. William and Kate will toured Cambridge for the first time since they adopted their titles on their wedding day in April last year. See PA story ROYAL Cambridge. Photo credit should read: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

The Duchess of Cambridge meets pupils as she visits Manor School during an official visit to Cambridge with the Duke of Cambridge.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets James William Davies, 5 months, who was named after Prince William, with mother Tessa Davies during a walkabout in Cambridge.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Oliver Duell, 7, at the Guildhall in Cambridge.

The Duke of Cambridge meets well wishers during a visit to Queenstown in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duchess of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets children during a visit to the Rainbow Centre at the Queenstown Housing Estate in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets well wishers during a visit to Queenstown in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Duchess of Cambridge meets with local children at the Council House, in Nottingham.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets well wishers before boarding the Spirit of Chartwell for the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in London.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets well wishers during a visit to Dalvay by the Sea, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets patient Fabian Bate, nine, during a visit with her husband, The Duke of Cambridge, to the new Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, London.

Duchess of Cambridge meets a young fan during her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.

Duchess of Cambridge meets Callum Wombwell during her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.

Duchess of Cambridge meets Bethany Woods in a music class during her visit to the Treehouse, part of the East Anglia's Children's Hospices, in Ipswich.

The Duke of Cambridge meets patient Ellis Andrews during a visit with the Duchess of Cambridge, to open the new Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, London.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets with youngsters during her visit to the UNICEF Supply Division Centre, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in their first joint humanitarian mission.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets patient Fabian Bate, nine, during a visit with her husband, The Duke of Cambridge, to the new Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, London.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets young members of the public during an impromptu walkabout outside their residence in Los Angeles, California, USA.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meets the locals while on a walkabout outside the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on the first day of their visit to the Commonwealth country.